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Holidays
What to do in Scottsdale this holiday season
GAS DEMAND DECREASES
East Valley, Phoenix pump prices fall
SADDLEBAG TRAIL
6 injured during police traffic stop in Old Town Scottsdale
Local News
Flames shoot through the roof of a home at 56th Street and Thunderbird Road. Firefighters from Phoenix and Scottsdale battled the blaze.

Scottsdale, Phoenix departments combine to put out house fire

Firefighters from Phoenix and Scottsdale joined forces Saturday night to put out a house fire near 56th Street and Thunderbird Road. No injuries were reported in the fire, but Phoenix officials …
An artist rendering shows what he Mercado Courtyards would look like if approved. (City of Scottsdale/H&S International)

Scottsdale council to hear 3 multifamily cases

The Scottsdale City Council will hear three rezoning requests for apartment during a meeting Dec. 7. The projects combined would bring in several hundred units to the city that has sought more …
Haley Holmes' Water Works project will bring clean drinking water to the farmers and gardeners cultivating crops in south Phoenix.

Former Scottsdale student’s work brings water to Phoenix farmers

A project led by a former Scottsdale high school student will help farmers and gardeners cultivate crops in South Phoenix by providing them with clean drinking water. Haley Holmes’ …

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SCOTTSDALE COMMERCE & NEWS
More Local News
UPDATE

Police lift lockdowns at 2 Scottsdale schools

Scottsdale police have lifted lockdowns at Cactus Shadow High School and neighboring Black Mountain Elementary School after investigating reports of a armed person. Police said the initial search …
Improvements

Scottsdale shares updates on new transportation plan 

The internal combustion engine has dominated the transportation landscape in the Valley for as long as anyone can remember — but things are slowly changing. 
Top 10

A look back at Scottsdale’s most popular 2022 stories

Looking back at the most popular stories among readers in 2022, one thing is clear: Politics was top of mind this year. Analytics from Jan. 1, 2022 through mid-November, at the time of press, …
Business

New barbecue restaurant coming to Florence

Florence is ready to welcome a new barbecue restaurant on Historic Main Street next year. Your Behind BBQ – Birds & Bones will be opening in early 2023, taking over the storefront …
Transportation

Scottsdale to pay $1M for airport planning

The city of Scottsdale has contracted with Coffman Associates Inc. for three years of airport planning services that is approved for up to $1 million. The deal with Scottsdale-based Coffman would …
Development

Optima project in Scottsdale gains rezoning approval

Rezoning for the forthcoming Optima McDowell Mountain Village gained city of Scottsdale approval, albeit through a split vote. The developer, Optima, got the OK Nov. 21 from the Scottsdale City …
Transportation

Scottsdale Trolley gets $1.79M in federal funding

The Scottsdale Trolley system will get its operating costs of roughly $1.79 million paid for courtesy of federal COVID relief money. Specifically, the city of Scottsdale approved moving money from …
Government

Scottsdale names new human resources director

The city of Scottsdale hired Monica Boyd to lead its Human Resources Department. Boyd has more than 20 years experience with the city of Phoenix, including more than 10 in senior human resources …

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SCOTTSDALE OPINION
Harvey Gillis

Gillis: Solving Arizona’s teacher problem

I am writing this letter as a person that volunteered for 25 years in K-12 classrooms and who believes that education is one of the three key columns on which a healthy democracy requires support.
Patricia Pellett

Pellett: Scottsdale Unified’s supplemental curriculum indoctrinates, not educates

PebbleGo is an online, supplemental curriculum leveraged by Scottsdale Unified School District for kindergarten to fifth-grade students. Promoted as an “engaging multimedia” that will …

Klapp: Flow of Arizona tourists relies on airspace management

As Arizona has grown in population over the past decades, we have continued to grow our footprint as a go-to location for travelers in the United States and around the globe.

Cantor: Addressing silence, Scottsdale’s first responders

First of all, I am alive and almost well. Now if you know me you will know I am happy in my little rut. For example, I lived in the same house my parents bought when we moved to Scottsdale for 60 years. Lots of memories some wonderful, some sad, some ridiculous, all with lifelong learning experiences.

Vanatta: Do your homework: A health insurance guide for families

Open enrollment for the 2023 benefit year is now upon us, giving many people an opportunity to weigh their healthcare options for the year ahead. It’s not a simple process for anyone. Those …

Alexander: Will the real Barry Graham please stand up

Another Valley newspaper reported that City Council candidate Barry Graham has accepted nearly $20,000 in donations from developers. This is shocking, as Graham has run a single-issue campaign …

Pabis & Gulick: Supporting school override based on our own SUSD education

As graduates of Saguaro and Chaparral respectively, we have lots of friendly rivalry when it comes to who had the best experience in high school — and which football team is better. As …

Cieniawski: Support enriching school experiences, vote for SUSD override

This election, we are being asked to support our Scottsdale Unified School District by approving a budgetary increase through a continuation of the District Additional Assistance override. Most …
Shea Najafi

Najafi: Supporting Scottsdale School’s override is right for community

Why does SUSD keep asking us for money? Let me give it to you straight. Our beautiful state of Arizona is 48th lowest in the nation for funding our public schools. Each of my kiddos receives …

Letter: You can trust Scottsdale Unified with your override vote

We are public members of the Scottsdale Unified School District Bond and Override Oversight Committee. We have served on the Bond Oversight Committee for six years along with seven other voters in …

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SCOTTSDALE EDUCATION
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Photo By Arianna Grainey/Independent Newsmedia

Scottsdale Community College receives business award

The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce has awarded Scottsdale Community College the 36th Annual Sterling Award in the “Big Business” category, which acknowledges Scottsdale organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation and community stewardship.
During the Nov.15 meeting, Board Member Libby Hart-Wells among others raised concerns about district CFO Shannon Crosier's idea to implement a zero-based budget.

Scottsdale Unified begins budget talks for 2023-24 school year

Scottsdale Unified School District’s governing board has begun discussing the maintenance and operations budget for the upcoming school year with plans for more focused financial discussions early next year.
Teachers were told they had won grants during the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day, presented by SRP.

Scottsdale’s Fiesta Bowl Charities provides 400 grants to Arizona teachers

Continuing the Fiesta Bowl Organization’s annual tradition of honoring, supporting and celebrating educators throughout Arizona, Scottsdale-based Fiesta Bowl Charities granted 400 teachers — including 85 Phoenix teachers — with $2,500 each through the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day presented by SRP.
Photo by Arianna Grainey/Independent Newsmedia

Scottsdale Unified kindergarten open houses start Nov. 8

Finding the right education setting to begin a child’s formal education journey is a major decision for parents. That is why Scottsdale Unified School District opens the doors of its kindergarten classrooms each November, January and March to families of the next school year’s kindergarten students.
Photo By Arianna Grainey/Independent Newsmedia

Scottsdale Community College to launch new pharmacy technician program

The importance of a robust and highly-trained workforce of healthcare professionals has never been more apparent than it is today. To that end, HonorHealth is collaborating with Scottsdale Community College to offer a new Pharmacy Technology Certificate of Completion that efficiently prepares anyone interested in working in healthcare for the abundance of new positions expected to open up over the next decade.
Scottsdale Neighbors & Business Reporting
Neighbors
Finance

Scottsdale entrepreneur publishes book on ‘Wealth Habits’

As inflation continues and an economic downturn looms, Americans are worried about their financial security. Scottsdale resident Candy Valentino knows something about financial hardship, having grown …
Donation

Giving foster children the gift of Christmas

The Crawford family is announcing a partnership with A New Leaf Foster Care Services to provide resources to foster children in the Phoenix area. As part of this partnership, the Crawfords are …
Sports

Scottsdale podcast asserts 'sports save all'

Sasha Graham, Scottsdale resident and author, has launched her podcast “Sports Will Save Us All” where she invites guests on to share their sports stories.
Awards

Nonprofit fundraiser hosted at Omni Scottsdale Resort

ICAN held its annual fundraiser at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia on Nov. 18.
Recognition

NIAF to honor Chef Joey Maggiore and family at gala

The National Italian American Foundation is set to honor Chef Joey Maggiore and the Maggiore Family at the foundation’s Arizona Regional Gala in Phoenix on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at the …

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Business

For the past 12 years, Scottsdale's Evolve PR and Marketing has worked with local and national businesses to promote and enhance their message to the world.

Taylor Morrison announced Dec. 1 it is building and donating six fully furnished homes to the Banner Health Foundation for a 16-home community in Gilbert supporting Banner MD Anderson’s Home …
A developer is looking to build out the 94 Hundred Shea project with a new residential component called 94 Hundred Shea–The Village, on Shea Boulevard, east of 92nd Street.
The BadgerDAO cryptocurrency hack of $120 million, and plenty of other scams, could have been avoided with a security service a Scottsdale resident and Arizona State University student have …

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Scottsdale Entertainment
From left to right, Alan Prewitt, Lydia Hill and Norma Jean McCrea are among the actors in Fountain Hills Theater’s holiday production,” The Quiltmaker’s Gift.” (Submitted Photo)

Fountain Hills Theater announces its holiday program

Fountain Hills Theater presents its holiday musical, “The Quiltmaker’s Gift,” from Dec. 2 through Dec. 18.
Detour Company Theatre will present “The Wizard of Oz” Jan. 6–8 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

‘Wizard of Oz’ shows in Scottsdale starting Jan. 6

Detour Company Theatre is leading audiences down the yellow brick road with its production of “The Wizard of Oz” from Jan. 6-8 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
A winemaker and gallery representative lead guests through a wine and art pairing experience at Anticus Fine Art Gallery.

Monthly wine, art pairing coming up in Scottsdale

On Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 6–8 p.m., LDV Winery and Anticus Fine Art Gallery in Scottsdale will present its monthly Fine Wine and Gallery Art Pairing Experience. This curated art and wine …
Mesa-based band Bethany Home has also ventured into the field of sadder lyrics as the music industry at-large observes increasing trends in somber music.

Valley music industry notes somber lyrical trends

The melody of the Aretha Franklin song “Respect” taught women across the country to be confident, strong and powerful in the movement of equal rights. Bruce Springsteen’s bold tune “Born in the USA” ironically declared patriotism to protest against the problems Vietnam War veterans faced when they came back home.
At the 2021 Power Campus hair show, EVIT recruiter Chastain Duarte poses with a student model.

Cosmetology students showcase their creativity in hair shows

Cosmetology students at the East Valley Institute of Technology will show off their creative skills through elaborate hairstyles, costumes and displays at two hair shows in December. The …
Carolyn V. Hamilton will be the featured author for the Scottsdale Society of Women Writers’ monthly meeting, held virtually on Dec. 14.

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers hosts meeting Dec. 14

Scottsdale Society of Women Writers welcomes author Carolyn V. Hamilton on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. for its monthly meeting.
Civil War author and historian Jeffrey William Hunt will lead a talk on his latest book on Dec. 13, at Scottsdale Public Library.

Civil War historian comes to Scottsdale Public Library Dec. 13

On Dec. 13, the Scottsdale Civil War Round Table will host Civil War author and historian Jeffrey William Hunt, who will discuss “Mead and Lee After Gettysburg: Climax of the Gettysburg Campaign.”
Seven wineries are coming together to share about Arizona-produced wines Nov. 30.

Travel the Scottsdale Wine Trail

On Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. in Old Town Scottsdale, seven Arizona wineries will join forces to launch the first-ever Wine & Tapas event and explore the Scottsdale Wine …
Artists can apply to exhibit their work at Art on the Boardwalk in January and March.

Art on the Boardwalk seeks artists for January, March

Sundance Creek Promotions invites artists working in all mediums to apply to exhibit at Winter Art on the Boardwalk, January 20–22, 2023 and Spring Art on the Boardwalk, March 10–12, …
Tank Hanna is one of the performers who will take part in the Nov. 26 magic show for The Singletons.

Magic show on Nov. 26 benefits The Singletons

Take part in an afternoon of astonishment, awe and mystery at a magic show for kids and adults on Nov. 26, benefiting The Singletons, a nonprofit supporting single-parent families battling cancer.

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